Courses
DEXL-701 Doctoral Studies Seminar (3)
This course provides candidates with an orientation to the program and the expectations and requirements for doctoral-level study. Candidates will refine their library research, concept development, and academic writing skills. Candidates will be exposed to doctoral-level research and various processes for developing research topics, conceptual frameworks, research ideas, and problem statements relevant to professional practice. Through reading, literature review, class discussion, reflection, and advisement, candidates will develop time management plans and other projects to guide the development of their field experiences and dissertation.
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Executive LeadershipDEXL-702 Contemp Issues Exec Leader (3)
This course examines leadership theory in both historical and philosophical contexts. Candidates will explore major social, political, and cultural influences on the development of leadership theory and the impact of those influences on the practice of leadership. Candidates will analyze the various leadership theories in relation to their applicability to emerging needs of organizations in the 21st century. Candidates will identify a current issue/problem in an organization and construct a personal leadership theory and vision designed to advance a learning and service-centered organizational model.
Candidates accepted into the SDL Advanced Certificate program will be required to focus their course projects on contemporary issues related to leadership in P-12 district-level settings, specifically district level curriculum and instructional leadership to support improvement in school and student performance.
Attributes: ZRES
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Executive LeadershipDEXL-703 Research Methods & Design (3)
This course is designed to provide candidates with an understanding of relevant research approaches in education, health, business, and other human service practices to inform decision-making and support organizational change. The course will provide an overview of research paradigms, the identification of researchable problems, and broadly survey research methods, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches to research. In doing so, the course will explore issues around research ethics and consider the importance of ethics. Additionally, the course will explore how research literatures function as distinct genres with explicit and implicit codes of understanding. Candidates will share their developing understanding of research through oral presentations and literature reviews.
Attributes: ZRES
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Executive LeadershipDEXL-704 Leadership&Cultural Change (3)
Candidates will examine firsthand the strategies used by successful executive leaders in various organizational settings to effect organizational and cultural change. Candidates will review the strategies in the context of applicable research, methodologies, best practice, and real-world cases. Candidates will focus on the skills, knowledge, and dispositions required to build organizational leadership, capacity, coherence, and intelligence essential to the growth and long-term success of human systems.
Candidates accepted into the SDL Advanced Certificate program will be required to focus their course projects on issues related to leadership and cultural change in P-12 district-level settings, specifically curriculum and instructional leadership for change.
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Executive LeadershipDEXL-705 Field Experience I (3)
Candidates will work with an executive mentor to develop a Field Experience Proposal that integrates the major themes and learning outcomes in DEXL 703 and 704, engages candidates in a practicum in an organizational setting, and supports achievement of the related dissertation milestone. Proposals must include the goals, objectives, and rationale for the experience; a description of the relationship between the proposal objectives and course learning outcomes; a list and schedule of the major activities that will result in a minimum of 50 documented field hours; and identification of the leadership standards to be addressed. The experience will culminate in a final written report, developed by each candidate, describing the experience, the outcomes achieved, and the standards met. The Field Experience Proposal must be approved by the executive mentor and instructor of record. Graded S/U.
Candidates accepted into the SDL Advanced Certificate program must select certified school district leaders as executive mentors for a district-level leadership field experience. SDL candidates must develop an approved proposal that addresses one or more of the competencies of the SDL Advanced Certificate program. Candidates pursuing the SDL must complete a minimum of 100 documented field hours for the district-level supervised internship.
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Executive LeadershipDEXL-706 Applied & Action Research (3)
This course explores action research and the associated theories, methodologies, and practices that have been used by successful transformational leaders to achieve organizational change. Candidates will examine the basic tenets of action research, including action research and organizational improvement models; the components of a literature review; strategies for organizational data collection, analysis, and interpretation. The course will also describe skills pertinent to identifying organizational problems and strategies for improvement through systematic inquiry and reflection. The course also explores the identification and application of a theory in relation to each candidate’s research problem.
Candidates accepted into the SDL Advanced Certificate program will be required to focus their course projects on issues related applying data to decision-making processes at the P-12 district-level, including but not withstanding organizational improvement models, and strategies for district-level improvement.
Attributes: ZRES
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Executive LeadershipDEXL-707 Qualit & Quant Methods (3)
This course provides an overview of qualitative and quantitative research methods including their history, traditions, conceptual frameworks, and justifications. Candidates will examine the two approaches to determine distinctions, similarities, practical utility, and problems in the collecting, managing, analyzing, and reporting of qualitative and quantitative data. Candidates also will focus on the distinction between data and evidence, the technical approaches and applications used to determine data validity and reliability, and the substantiating of evidence within the context of research and organizational outcomes. The course project will be aligned with the requirements for Part I of the Comprehensive Exam.
Attributes: ZRES
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Executive LeadershipDEXL-708 Field Experience II (3)
Candidates will work with an executive mentor to develop a Field Experience Proposal that integrates the major themes and learning outcomes in DEXL 706 and 707, engages candidates in a practicum in an organizational setting, and supports achievement of the related dissertation milestone. Proposals must include the goals, objectives, and rationale for the experience; a description of the relationship between the proposal objectives and course learning outcomes; a list and schedule of the major activities that will result in a minimum of 50 documented field hours; and identification of the leadership standards to be addressed. The experience will culminate in a final written report, developed by each candidate, describing the experience, the outcomes achieved, and the standards met. The Field Experience Proposal must be approved by the executive mentor and instructor of record. Graded S/U.
Candidates accepted into the SDL Advanced Certificate program must select certified school district leaders as executive mentors for a district-level leadership field experience. SDL candidates must develop an approved proposal that addresses one or more of the competencies of the SDL Advanced Certificate program. Candidates pursuing the SDL must complete a minimum of 100 documented field hours for the district-level supervised internship.
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Executive LeadershipDEXL-709 Public & Human Relations (3)
This course examines public and human relations in the context of various private and non-profit organizations using a case study method. The course will have a particular focus on the relationship between community organizations serving children and families. Candidates will examine the potential use of public and human relation strategies to improve connections between education and healthcare, social services, business, and other public and human service sectors. The course will also expose candidates to effective leadership strategies and best practices designed to improve organizational performance. Topics will include internal and external communications; partnerships with diverse organizations and audiences; strategic planning and marketing communications; crisis communication and management; media and public relations; public imaging; creative leadership; and public relations research and evaluation.
Candidates accepted into the SDL Advanced Certificate program will be required to focus their course projects on communication strategies for school boards, parents, building and district leaders, teachers, support staff, state leaders, community leaders, and other community members from diverse backgrounds. Candidates will be required to conduct a case study analysis on a public relations case related to public relations, communication, and relationship building in a P-12 school district environment.
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Executive LeadershipDEXL-710 Assess, Eval & Org Improve (3)
This course introduces candidates to the field of program evaluation. Candidates will review evaluation approaches; examine political and interpersonal relationships with key stakeholders; study methods of data collection and analysis; and review strategies for reporting results. The course also explores the nature of the relationship between an organization’s vision, mission, and goals; strategic planning process; and specific program outcome measures.
Through the course, candidates will develop a methods chapter for the dissertation, meeting the requirements for: a) the dissertation milestone and b) the requirements of Part II of the Comprehensive Exam: Research Design and Methodology.
Candidates accepted into the SDL Advanced Certificate program will be required to focus their course projects on the evaluation of district-level initiatives related to curriculum, instruction, assessment, and/or organizational improvement approaches at the P-12 district-level.
Attributes: ZRES
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Executive LeadershipDEXL-711 Field Experience III (3)
Field Experience III is designed to support the completion of Part III of the Comprehensive Examination, the General Field Examination. Candidates will develop a Field Experience Proposal that covers the required sections outlined in the Comprehensive Exam requirements including sections: (a) a field-based case study; and (b) a portfolio of the candidate’s best work. The Field Experience Proposal must be approved by the faculty of record. The faculty of record will provide guidelines outlining the course requirements and specifications for completing the projects. Candidates must maintain a log documenting that a minimum of 50 hours have been dedicated to meeting the requirements of the course. Candidates will meet with faculty at assigned times and on an as-needed basis. Mid-term and end-of-course assessments will be administered and used to evaluate candidate performance on the required projects and determine the final score on the General Field Exam portion of the Comprehensive Exam. Graded S/U.
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Executive LeadershipDEXL-712 Public Policy, Law &Ethics (3)
This course is designed to provide candidates with an understanding of the principles and the interconnectedness of policy, law, and ethics and their implications for executive leadership. Policy development and implementation, federal and state laws, and issues of ethics will be addressed in a broad spectrum of leadership styles and organizational settings. The course will provide executive leaders with the requisite knowledge, skills, and dispositions to remain current with issues of policy, law, and ethics while equipping them with the knowledge to positively impact the lives of the personnel and organizations within their spheres of influence.
Candidates accepted into the SDL Advanced Certificate program will be required to focus their course projects on issues related to public policy; interactions with local, state, and federal representatives; applying statutes, law and ethical behaviors at the P-12 district-level.
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Executive LeadershipDEXL-713 Shared Governance (3)
This course is a critical examination of the relationship between leadership effectiveness and governance, the differences and similarities in the educational system, and the governing structures in public, private, and not-for-profit organizations. The course will combine the study of theory and practice by exploring the major components of organizational governance, including the roles and responsibilities of the executive leader; governing boards; unions; local, state, and federal agencies; and community groups. These components will be examined in the context of contemporary educational issues in the areas of policymaking, administration, collective bargaining, shared decision-making, authority and accountability, and ethical and legal requirements. Through the use of special guest lecturers, case studies, current events, and simulations, candidates will examine the external and internal constraints and the opportunities of shared governance from conceptual, practical, political, ethical, and policy perspectives.
Candidates accepted into the SDL Advanced Certificate program will be required to focus their course projects on issues related to executive leadership and shared governance within the context of working with school boards, collective bargaining units, and external stakeholders at the P-12 district-level.
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Executive LeadershipDEXL-714 Field Experience IV (3)
Candidates will work with an executive mentor to develop a Field Experience Proposal that integrates the major themes and learning outcomes in DEXL 712 and 713, engages candidates in a practicum in an organizational setting, and supports achievement of the related dissertation milestone. Proposals must include the goals, objectives, and rationale for the experience; a description of the relationship between the proposal objectives and course learning outcomes; a list and schedule of the major activities that will result in a minimum of 50 documented field hours; and identification of the leadership standards to be addressed. The experience will culminate in a final written report, developed by each candidate, describing the experience, the outcomes achieved, and the standards met. The Field Experience Proposal must be approved by the executive mentor and instructor of record. Graded S/U.
Candidates accepted into the SDL Advanced Certificate program must select certified school district leaders as executive mentors for a district-level leadership field experience. SDL candidates must develop an approved proposal that addresses one or more of the competencies of the SDL Advanced Certificate program. Candidates pursuing the SDL must complete a minimum of 100 documented field hours for the district-level supervised internship.
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Executive LeadershipDEXL-715 Finance & Resource Dev (3)
This course examines the organizational value systems underlying finance and resource development in education, health, nonprofit, and business organizations. These systems will be explored in the context of revenue sources, generation, and distribution; funding formulas and local, state, and federal requirements; equity, evaluation, and reform; strategic planning and decision-making; analysis and allocation of resources; and compliance and accountability. Through interactive instruction, special guest lecturers, case studies, simulations, and field experiences, candidates will analyze complex financial and social issues confronting leaders in an era of limited resources and develop solution sets and action strategies based on best practices.
Candidates accepted into the SDL Advanced Certificate program will be required to focus their course projects on issues related to finance and resource development at the P-12 district-level.
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Executive LeadershipDEXL-716 HR Dev&Cont Improvement (3)
This course examines key theories, systems, contemporary issues and innovative practices in human resource development and performance. The course will explore these various elements through a human capital strategy that focuses on leadership, organizational culture and continuous organizational improvement. Candidates will identify and analyze complex problems and issues in various organizational settings, and the implications for continuous improvement within a human capital framework. Candidates also will apply various aspects of human resource development and human capital strategies within the context of applicable research, methodologies, best practice, and real-world cases.
Candidates accepted into the SDL Advanced Certificate program will be required to focus their course projects on issues related to human resource development and continuous improvement at the P-12 district-level. Candidates will also complete or show evidence of completing the Child Abuse Prevention Workshop and the School Violence Intervention and Prevention Workshop upon completion of the course.
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Executive LeadershipDEXL-717 Guided Dissertation Sem I (3)
This course is designed to support candidates in the continuing development and refinement of their dissertations. Small group and individual assistance will be provided to candidates by course faculty and dissertation chairs to support ongoing progress and completion of the program’s dissertation requirements. Candidates will meet at prearranged times to work on their dissertations individually and in small groups, receive feedback from faculty, and provide feedback to each other. Candidates will develop a Dissertation Completion Plan, in consultation with the course faculty and their dissertation chair, with timelines based on the dissertation milestone for the relevant term. Candidates also will maintain weekly logs and submit progress reports to the faculty and their dissertation chair at the mid-point and at the end of the semester. Graded S/U.
Attributes: ZRES
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Executive LeadershipDEXL-718 Leadership & Diversity (3)
This course examines the role that leadership plays in addressing issues of diversity and equity in various organizational settings. Candidates will analyze various theoretical frameworks to determine how demographic variables and historical, social, cultural, economic, legal, and political constructs influence organizational behavior, decisions, and outcomes. Candidates also will examine contemporary issues and various aspects of human diversity and multiple oppressions (race/ethnic, class, ability, and gender), as well as organizational concerns and practices that can positively or negatively impact the recruitment, retention, and success of diverse workforce and learners.
Candidates accepted into the SDL Advanced Certificate program will be required to focus their course projects on issues related to self-improvement and continuous learning involving diversity of parents, students, staff, and community leaders at the P-12 district-level.
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Executive LeadershipDEXL-719 Guided Dissertation Sem II (3)
This course is designed to support candidates in the continuing development and refinement of their dissertations. Small group and individual assistance will be provided to candidates by course faculty and dissertation chairs to support ongoing progress and completion of the program’s dissertation requirements. Candidates will meet at prearranged times to work on their dissertations individually and in small groups, receive feedback from faculty, and provide feedback to each other. Candidates will develop a Dissertation Completion Plan, in consultation with the course faculty and their dissertation chair, with timelines based on the dissertation milestone for the relevant term. Candidates also will maintain weekly logs and submit progress reports to the faculty and their dissertation chair at the mid-point and at the end of the semester. Graded S/U.
Attributes: ZRES
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Executive LeadershipDEXL-720 GuidedDissertation Sem III (3)
This course is designed to support candidates in the continuing development and refinement of their dissertations. Small group and individual assistance will be provided to candidates by course faculty and dissertation chairs to support ongoing progress and completion of the program’s dissertation requirements. Candidates will meet at prearranged times to work on their dissertations individually and in small groups, receive feedback from faculty, and provide feedback to each other. Candidates will develop a Dissertation Completion Plan, in consultation with the course faculty and their dissertation chair, with timelines based on the dissertation milestone for the relevant term. Candidates also will maintain weekly logs and submit progress reports to the faculty and their dissertation chair at the mid-point and at the end of the semester. Candidates who do not successfully defend dissertations by the end of DEXL 720 will receive an IP grade and must register for DEXL 721/722 with the permission of the Program Director.
Graded S/U.
Attributes: ZRES
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Executive LeadershipDEXL-721 Guided Dissertation Sem IV (3)
This course is designed to support candidates in the continuing development and refinement of their dissertations. Small group and individual assistance will be provided to candidates by their dissertation committee to support ongoing progress and completion of the program’s dissertation requirements. Candidates will meet at prearranged times to work on progress and completion of the program’s dissertation requirements. Candidates will develop a Dissertation Completion Plan, in consultation with their dissertation chair, with timelines based on the dissertation milestone for the relevant term. Candidates also will maintain a weekly log and submit progress reports to the faculty and their dissertation chair at the end of the course. Requires permission of the dissertation chair and Program Director to register. Graded S/U.
Attributes: ZRES
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Executive LeadershipDEXL-722 Guided Dissertation Sem V (3)
This course is designed to support candidates in the continuing development and refinement of their dissertations. Small group and individual assistance will be provided to candidates by their dissertation committee to support ongoing progress and completion of the program’s dissertation requirements. Candidates will meet at prearranged times to work on progress and completion of the program’s dissertation requirements. Candidates will develop a Dissertation Completion Plan, in consultation with their dissertation chair, with timelines based on the dissertation milestone for the relevant term. Candidates also will maintain a weekly log and submit progress reports to the faculty and their dissertation chair at the end of the course. Requires permission of the dissertation chair and Program Director to register. Graded S/U.
Attributes: ZRES
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Executive LeadershipDEXL-723 District Level Internship (3)
This course is designed to support candidates seeking SDL Advanced Certification. Candidates shall participate in a full-time 15 week district-level leadership internship experience under the supervision of an executive mentor who has at least 3 years of district level experience and holds a New York School District Leader Certificate. The supervised internship must be approved and evaluated by a full-time St. John Fisher College faculty member who holds a New York School District Leader Certificate. The overall internship experience will represent a synthesis of key content and high impact field based experiences that result in the candidates? demonstration of the professional knowledge, skills, and dispositions of a school leader, and, most importantly, expanding candidates’ capacity to improve school performance and student achievement within a district level environment. Graded S/U.
Attributes: ZCLX
Pre-requisites: DEXL-714 S
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Executive LeadershipDEXL-725 Dissertation Continuation (0)
Executive Leadership candidates in need of an additional semester in which to complete the dissertation may register for this course with the approval of the dissertation chair and Program Director. Candidates who register for this course have received an IP grade in DEXL 720 and Unsatisfactory grades in DEXL 721 and DEXL 722. They must be working closely with their dissertation committee and submit a plan for completion of the dissertation in order to register for this continuation course. Data collection, analysis, or dissertation writing may be done during this continuation time.
If the dissertation is approved by the dissertation committee at the end of this course, DEXL 720 and 725 will be graded S.
If the dissertation is NOT accepted by the committee at the end of this course, the grade of IP in DEXL 720 will continue and the candidate MUST register for DEXL 725 again. Candidates retaking DEXL 725 will receive a U until the dissertation is successfully defended. Candidates may take DEXL 725 a maximum of three (3) times.
Attributes: ZRES